Venous embolism and thrombosis of superficial vessels of lower extremity

This code signifies the presence of a blood clot (thrombus) within a superficial vein of the lower extremity, leading to obstruction of blood flow. This condition is commonly known as superficial thrombophlebitis, involving inflammation of the vein wall secondary to the thrombus.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of superficial venous thrombosis or thrombophlebitis affecting the leg or foot. This typically presents with localized pain, redness, tenderness, and a palpable cord along the course of a superficial vein.

• Differentiate from deep vein thrombosis (DVT); this code is specifically for superficial vessels.
• Ensure documentation specifies "superficial" to avoid miscoding with DVT.
• Consider additional codes for underlying causes or complications, if documented.